Jackson, Tennessee, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation Law Blog

When using a ladder at work, it's critical that your safety takes top priority. Even though you have a task to complete, you don't want to make any mistakes that will put your health and well-being at risk.

There are many safety tips you can follow to avoid trouble when using a ladder. Here are five that will enhance your safety and put your mind at ease:

• Inspect your ladder before use: Defects and damage can result in an accident, so inspect your ladder before taking the first step. From missing rivets and bolts to rust, you never know what you'll find.
• Don't place your ladder close to traffic: If your ladder is too close to pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic, there's a greater chance of someone or something knocking into it.
• Place your ladder on level ground: It may take some searching around to find level ground, but it's critical to your safety. Also, make sure the ground is firm enough to hold your ladder in place while in use.
• Don't carry heavy loads: Carrying a heavy load when ascending or descending increases the likelihood of falling. If you begin to lean, the weight of the load can pull you off the ladder.
• Maintain three points of contact: Keep both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand on the ladder at all times. This will help you maintain control of your body, while also preventing a fall.

A recent poll indicates an estimated 30% of U.S. workers are getting by on less than six hours of sleep. Studies have shown conclusively that workers who are experiencing fatigue are at a higher risk for suffering a workplace injury. Tennessee workers who are injured on the job are typically entitled to file for benefits through the state's workers' compensation insurance program.

In this country, the idea that sleep is for unproductive people has taken root in many industries. Instead of striving to ensure that employees are able to get the necessary rest for optimal health and work productivity, many employers demand overtime and schedule workers for odd shifts. However, even just one night of decreased sleep increases the risk of a serious error in judgment on the part of a tired worker. For each successive night of poor sleep, the risk continues to rise.

No matter the occupation, almost any job comes with a certain risk of serious injury. In many cases, extensive experience is not a reliable protection against the danger of suffering a serious -- or even fatal -- injury on the job. Whenever a Tennessee worker suffers serious injuries, benefits from the workers' compensation program may be a critical safety net.

Recently, two experienced water department employees were in the field working to repair a fire hydrant. As the two were engaged in their work, two cars collided in a nearby intersection. The impact sent one of the vehicles hurtling off the road and straight toward the workers. The men had no time to react and were both struck by the car.

The decision to work as a public servant charged with protecting residents is seldom undertaken without full consideration of the risks involved. In spite of the inherent danger of police work, it is often the ordinary dangers that take the greatest toll on the lives of both law enforcement and civilians. Recently, a Tennessee police officer became the latest victim of fatal car accidents involving law enforcement.

The fatal collision occurred at an intersection as the four-year veteran of the Nashville Police Department was responding to a call. His service vehicle was struck by a 17-year-old driver who was purportedly fleeing from a traffic stop. The impact killed the 28-year-old man at the scene. The teen's passenger was critically injured in the crash while the driver suffered only minor injuries for which she was treated and later released.